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GUARANTY. 

Some siatements in these pag-es are desig-ned to correct errors which are by 
many accepted as general truths about the tropics. To save the time and work of 
reading- a larg-e amount of evidence which supports our statements, the following- 
o-uaranty is made, without any mental reservation or secret evasion of mind 
whatever. I will g-ive 100 hectares (247 acres) of land worth $2,500 to any one who 

shall prove : 

1. That the climate and healthfulness of northern Nicarag-ua are not as de- 
scribed by me in this pamphlet. 

2. That the rivers, soil and topography of the Comarca of Cabo Gracias a Dios 
are not as g-ood as I describe them in this pamphlet. 

3. That the cost, yield and value of the productions mentioned in the following- 
pag-es are not as advantag-eous to the planter as I state them to be. 

4. That the sale of 5,000 hectares, described herein, was not properly made tO) 

me, as stated in this pamphlet. 

Edward W. Pekky,. 



ADVANTAGES. 

1. Our lands lie along- one of the greatest of Central American rivers. The Uarig' 
requires no work to make it safe and easy for vessels. 

2. More than fortj^ settlements stand on the banks of the lower Uang-. None 
are asked to g^o to a wilderness. 

3. More than twent}' g"old mines near our lands have been developed. Larg-e 
sums have been spent in putting- them into working shape. The)- are now said to 
be profitabl}' operated. 

4. Our port is a town of size, established two centuries or more. It is the cap- 
ital of the Comarca, has g-overnor's offices, custom house, warehouses, wharf, post 
office, schools and stores, hotel and other conveniences. 

5. Steamships from New York visit us at stated dates. Mail boats and other 
vessels arrive and leave at short periods. 

6. Steamships of several lines pass within sight of our land. Thej will stop 
when required. 

7. We have sheltered water where ships can quietly handle cargo at any time. 

8. Nicaragua gives unclouded and unassailable title to her lands. 

'i. Nicaragua has a debt reported as equal to only 3| cents per acre.- 

10. Our colonists are to be* exempt from heavy duties and taxes. 

11. We have an ample supply of laborers. 



THE PERRY LAND GRANT. 



In 1S97 the State of Nicaragua, of the Greater 
RepubHc of Central America, sold to Edward W. 
Perry 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres), to be by him 
taken from anypubliclands of theComarca of Cabo 
Gracias a Dios. A condition of that sale is that 
efforts shall be made to induce people of desirable 
character to make homes and plantations in, and 
to otherwise aid in the development of the great 
natural resources of Nicaragua. Another condi- 
tion is that the grantee and his assigns shall not 
be required to pay taxes of any kind other or 
greater than shall be paid by the most favored 
person or company. 

Notice has been received that agreement and sale 
was ratified by the Congress of Nicaragua during 
its session of 1898, and is part of the law of the land. 

The C0M.A.RCA OF Cabo Gracias a Digs is in the 
extreme northeastern corner of Central America. 
Its port is the town of Gracias, some 960 miles 
south from New Orleans; and 1,735 niiles, or as 
far as Denver is, from New York. Steamers in 
the fruit trade between the United States and 



the banana fields of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and 
of South America pass within sight of Gracias 
nearly every day. Steamships go there from 
New York City at stated times. 

The Comarca (district or province) extends 
from the Rio Uang or Wanks, on the 15' N. lati- 
tude, southward some 70 miles; and from the 
Caribbean Sea westward some 200 miles to a 
point not yet definitely fixed, on the Rio Uang. 
TOPOQRAPHY ^ rolling, well watered plain 
-•;•..*- covers the eastern half of the 
Comarca. Near the sea this is sandy, often lying 
in low swells parallel with the coast line. A few 
lakes are between these low ridges. Bej^ond these 
the;soil is gravelly loam. The whole is covered 
by grass which is always green, and fringed by 
long-leafed pine forests. 

Some 70 or 80 miles from the sea the hills of the 
Uaspuc (Waspook) rise from the plain to a height 
of 300 to 1,200 feet. They are heavily tim- 
bered, fertile and rich in gold. Many streams, 
pure, cool and never-faihng, flow from these hills, 



which cover the greater part of the western half 
of the Comarca. 

The vallej^ of the Uang is broad and of exceed- 
ing fertility. Along the lower reaches of the 
river are large areas only 12 to 16 inches above 
the level of the sea, admirably suited to coco 
growing. Hundreds of palms rise from these low 
lands and give to the river the Waika name of 
Uang. for which the English name is "cabbage 
palm," and the Spanish is "palma real" or palm 
royal. 

"The Rio Coco or Segovia [the Uang] 
KIVtKs. |g considered as one of the largest in 
Central America," says an official report which is 
to be published by the Bureau of Statistics of 
Nicaragua. " It has for a long time been little 
known, although without doubt it was much 
frequented by the filibusters of Bluefields. 

"It has a course of 300 miles from west to 
northeast, and may be divided into four parts. 
The first is not navigable; the second is no 
miles in extension, and may be navigated by 
small boats or canoes, with which the descent 
may be made in 14 days, and the ascent in 20 
days. The third has only 52 miles, is peopled on 
both banks by families of Indians, but presents 
much current — dangerous and difficult of naviga- 



tion The fourth and last, of 142 miles, is navi- 
gable by large vessels or by small steamboats. 
The breadth of the river amounts, in this part, to 
300 yards and its depth varies between 4 and 10 
feet. At the entrance are two arms which form 
an island, where was the principal establishment 
of the mahogany cutters, and at their discharge 
into the sea present two bars of 5 to 6 feet depth. 
A third arm which parts from the river four 
miles from the sea, is that which forms the 
laguna of Cabo Gracias a Dios." 

The first section above mentioned lies in a 
mountain region, where gold and silver mining 
has been carried on for centuries. Copper, lead 
and cinnabar are said to exist in considerable 
quantities, but lack of roads has prevented the 
development of mining there. The hills are cov- 
ered by yellow pine, and are fair pastures, al- 
though the rainfall is comparatively small. In 
the valleys among these hills bananas, rice and 
beans, maize and fruits are raised. All fruits of 
California may be profitably grown here, for the 
soil is equal to, and the climate is much more 
favorable than that of the Golden State. Limited 
quantities of coffee, cacao and tobacco of superior 
quality are now produced among the hills of the 
Segovia. 




MANAGL'A. 



The second section of the Segovia or Uang 
flows through a more fertile region \\ hich is 
rather hilly. Cedar, mahogany and other woods 
of high value abound, and rubber, cacao and 
vanilla may be found growing wild. The third 
section is in a valley where the mountains are 
separate knobs or ranges of hills from 200 to 1,200 
feet height, wooded from top to bottom. The 
lands between are covered by rich growths. Bam- 
boo overhanging the river banks, and the coroso 
palms showing further back give evidence of the 
richness of the soil. In six or seven places hard, 
igneous rocks split the stream into many chan- 
nels. Most of these rapids may perhaps be made 
safely navigable ; but one of them will probably 
remain impassible for steamboats 

The fourth section extends from the rocky 
rapids of Cap-li-pini to the Caribbean Sea, a dis- 
tance variously estimated as 140 to 200 miles. It 
is broad, free from serious obstructions and deep 
enough for safe navigation by light-draft steam- 
boats, even in exceedingly low stages. It touches 
no hill of more than 60 or 75 feet height, and cuts 
into the gravelly, pine covered prairie in half a 
dozen spots. By far the greater part of its length 
runs gently between banks of sandy and exceed- 
ingly rich alluvium, where coroso palms, bam- 



boos, morning glories and other vegetation make 
a dense border, and bananas yield enormously. 

L.'^ Fantasma (Phantom or Ghost) is the first 
large tributary of the Uang, or Segovia. La 
Fantasma drains the northern slope of the great 
range of mountains of the same name, which rises 
to a height of 3.500 feet above sea level. Most of 
the large branches of the Uang come from the 
south, the region north of the Uang being drained 
by the Guayape, only a few miles away. 

The Bocai is the largest tributarj^ of the Uang. 
It flows in a course generally nearly parallel with 
and not far from the larger river, and discharges 
into its long, quiet second section or division. At 
the junction of the two streams are several young 
coffee plantations having some 300,000 trees, and 
there is a village of some 125 inhabitants. 

The Locc.a. (Locust) is a rocky stream of about 
the size of La Fantasma. The Locca comes from 
hills where much rubber has been gathered, and 
vast quantities of cabinet woods grow. It enters 
the third section of the Uang. 

The Umra flows from hills rich in placer gold. 
A few miles of its lower reaches are navigable. 
It enters the Uang about 170 miles from the sea. 

The Uaspuc (Uas, water ; puc, red or dark), is 
one of the most important streams in northern 



Nicaragua. It joins the Uang at a point some 150 
miles from its mouth. Yahuc or Yahook fal], a 
few miles up the river, makes necessary a port- 
age of all goods to or from the gold mines on the 
upper river and its tributaries. The Uaspuc has 
long been the highway to this, the richest known 
deposit of gold in all Central America The ores 
yield an average of at least an ounce, it is said: 
assays from several lodes gave $12.50 to $1,790, 
averaging $528 per ton. 

The Calabash or Falling Waters is a branch 
of the Uaspuc. It comes from a range which is 
as rich in gold as are the hills of the Uaspuc. 
There are several developed mines on the 
Falling Waters, as on the river into which it 
empties. 

The Sansan (Accacia) is a gold-bearing stream 
which is not navigable any considerable distance. 
It unites with the Uang below the Uaspuc. 

It is asserted that nuggets of one to twenty 
ounces are not uncommon in the placer mines on 
the streams mentioned, They have long been 
known, but little worked except by the Indians 
and a few others. Recently Americans and Brit- 
ish subjects have invested money in the develop- 
ment of these properties, and this may soon cause 
a rush which will make a ready market for pro- 



CLIMATE. 



ducts of our plantations. Much of the food for the 
mines is now imported from the United States. 

No part of North America has a 
climate as even, healthful and de- 
lightful as is that of Northern Nicaragua. The 
northeast trade winds almost constantly sweep 
across the whole country, keeping the air nearly 
absolutely pure The skies are always bright, 
even in the rainy seasons, of which there are two 
each year. For even when rain is falling heavih- 
in one spot, sunshine is seen often onh' a few feet 
or a few rods away. Perhaps the most charming 
climate is that of the mountain country near the 
Pacific, and drained by the river Uang. There 
spring is literally never-ceasing, yet harvest is 
continuous. 

Even on the. low, sandy shore of the Caribbean 
sea the days are uniformly bright, except during 
the very rare " temporals," when an entire day 
may be overcast. There nearly every hour of 
every day the sea breeze comes drawing in, mak- 
ing comfortable every spot, even in the sunshine. 
One is always cool enough in the shade there. ' 

„ ^ „ At the seaside the extreme 

TEflPERATURE. . , , . 

range ot temperature, m a 

period of many years, has been from 60' during 
a norther to 90" Fahr. during two hours of a calm 



one afternoon in Jaly. Among the mountains 
back from the sea the mercury sometimes sinks 
as low as 50', and in valleys climbs to S5 on ex- 
cessively hot days. 

This is in strong contrast with the record in 
New York when the mercury rose to 11 1 Fahr. 
Julv 3. 1S9S, according to the thermometer of the 
"Herald;" 112 at 4 p. m., 60 feet above the 
street, by the thermometer of a contributor of 
the •• Press," and 120' at street level at 3:3^ the 
same day. The papers reported that " Heat Tor- 
ture Kills Babies," " .Vlany Deaths Due to Scorch- 
ing Heat," etc. The newspapers of July 5 and 6 
recorded the death of 11 people, and the pro'^tra- 
tion of 1 5 from heat in those two daj-s. At the 
same time they reported the deaths of some 30 
people and destruction of much property through 
squalls and lightning. New York newspapers of 
Sept. S, 189S, reported four cases of madness, 44 
prostrations and 30S deaths caused by heat in that 
city in the next preceding eight days. 

Cyclones and tornados are recorded almost 
every montn of every summer in the States, while 
blizzards carry death to large districts nearly every 
winter. 

In Nicaragua cyclones and tornados, frost and 
excessive heat are unknown. A hurricane far at 



RAINFALL. 



sea brushed Cabo Gracias eight years ago, with a 
gale such as is seen every year along the At- 
lantic coast of the States. It terrified the people 
so that to this day they dwell with awe on the 
story of the great hurricane. 

Every month has its rains, except, 
perhaps, December, January, Feb- 
ruary and March, and there are showers in those 
months. From May to July showers are fre- 
quent, pass quickly and leave the ground watered 
enough to force vegetation to most luxuriant 
growth under the sunshine which fills much of 
every day. Heavier and longer-continued show- 
ers fall from October until Decemb!.-r; but such 
continuous, dismal rains as are common in North- 
ern States are exceedingly rare in Nicaragua. 
Even in the middle of the so-called wet season, 
part of each day is clear, and often days and even 
weeks pass with scarcely a shower 

The average annual rainfall of the Comarca is 
ab ut the same as that of Charleston, S. C, Pen- 
sacola, Fla., and Vicksburg, Miss. On the hills it 
is heavier and comes earlier than on the broad 
coast plain. As the rainfall depends upon the 
trade winds, and as they never greatly change 
direction, force or temperature, it is scarcely pos- 
sible that any considerable change in weather or 



10 



HEALTHFULNESS. 



rainfall will come. There will probably never be 
such droughts as have ruined the crops in other 
parts of the world. 

Few parts of the United 
States equal and none sur- 
pass northern Nicaragua in healthfulness. There 
is in the Comarca of Cabo Grades no disease 
which can be truly ascribed to climate or to local 
causes, except perhaps an occasional mild attack 
of ague. Fevers, pneumonia and consumption, 
diphtheria, scarlet fever and rheumatism are 
almost unknown. During the last year observed, 
iSgb-'gy, deaths of adults were scarceh* one per 
1,000. Among the 500 inhabitants of the town of 
Gracias there were only thr-^e deaths in iS months. 
Absolutely pure air, even and delightful tem- 
perature and long, sunny days in which no rain 
will fall ; even breezes sweeping across miles of 
salt lagoons, sea bathing, fishing and sailing; long 
reaches of bayous where one may paddle among 
acres of lilies and water poppies, or beside banks 
of fuscias and morning glories; a profusion of 
fruit, flowers and bright birds; abundant fish and 
game, ducks, pigeons and turkeys, deer, pigs and 
tigers ; the soft warmth of every day of the year 
— these should make northern Nicaragua a favorite 
resort for the consumptive, the rheumatic, the 



TOWNS. 



aged and others who would enjoy leisure in a 
country of leisure, amid novel scenes which the 
masses can not overrun. 

Gr.acias, port and seat of government 
of the Comarca of Cabo Gracias a Dios, 
is the largest town in northeastern Nicaragua. 
It has a custom-house and its wharf, governor's 
ofi&ces, police station and schools, and stores kept 
by native Central Americans, by Chinese, by 
British subjects and by Americans It is some 
two miles from the sea, and on the sandy western 
shore of a lagoon five or six miles long. This 
laguna is connected by a narrow, shallow canal 
with the river Uang. 

Elay.a. is an Indian town on the left bank of the 
Uang, nearly opposite the end of the canal men- 
tioned, and some four miles from the sea. Clutca 
is a larger Indian village some 10 miles by river 
above Elaya The next village is Leven or La- 
bring Creek, a distance estimated at 45 miles 
from the sea. Above that town is Boom, where 
mahogany cutters had booms for holding their 
logs a quarter of a century or more ago. Boom 
is the largest town on the river, and is 50 miles 
from the ocean. Above Boom is a succession of 
villages, hamlets and single homes along the 
banks of the river. There are 48 such settlements 



LABORERS. 



on the river banks, below Cap-li-pina or White 
Water, at the head of the lower section of the 
Uang. If the length of this part of the river is 
140 miles, as stated by the government report, 
the average distance between the settlements is 
less than three miles. All distances given in this 
pamphlet are estimated. Ahich of the banks of the 
river is covered by banana plantations which sup- 
ply a large part of the food required by the in- 
habitants and their domestic animals. 

Some 2,000 people dwell on the 
banks of the Uang, and about 
4,000 in all the Comarca. From infancy all are 
skillful in the use of paddle and machete. They 
do good work of its kind in plantations, but are 
wholly unacquainted with plow, hoe and shovel. 
They are as willing and honest as and more docile 
and law abiding than are the negroes of the 
Southern States. They love their homes, and are 
glad to work for white men who treat them with 
a show of fairness. Many of the men have some 
skill as lumbermen, and the women are good 
workers in plantation and in canoe. Wages of 
men are S12 to $20 per month; those of women 
about half as much. Rations of seven pounds of 
flour and four pounds of pork per capita, or their 
equivalents, per week form part of the laborers' 



pay. They cook for themselves, and when begin- 
ning work in a new place, are allowed time for 
making for themselves houses of poles and thatch. 
Bananas are, to millions in 
PRODUCTIONS, j^^p.^ j^^^g_ ^jj ^j^^^ potatoes 

have been to Ireland, and more. Man and do- 
mestic animals of all kinds greedily eat bananas. 
They give to the native near the sea his best 
market crop, and keep many steamships and hun- 
dreds of men carrying them to other lands. The 
United States use more than 15,000,000 bunches 
annually. They are eaten green or ripe, raw or 
cooked. In food value 2,000 pounds of this fruit, 
at a cent a pound, are worth only 19 cents less 
than the like weight of potatoes at the same price 
per pound, and the ton of bananas may be pro- 
duced at cost of $2.95 a ton, or even less. 

Much valuable information has been given by 
the Hand Books of American Republics, by 
United States Consular Reports arid by other 
publications of the Department of State and the 
Department of Agriculture, at Washington, by 
government publications from Jamaica, Trinidad 
and other British colonies, and by many others, 
about the products of the tropics, their cost, yield 
and profits. 

A report by U. S. Consul Peterson stated in 



12 



1893 that the cost of making, cultivating and har- 
vesting banana plantations in Spanish Honduras 
was $17.34 an acre; that the first crop gave 173 
bunches per acre, and their value was $43 25. Af- 
ter the first year the annual yield was 592 bunches, 
valued at $189.37, leaving a profit of S146. 12. 

Consul-General Villafranca of Costa Rica is 
quoted by the Hand Books of American Republics, 
No. I, to the eii'ect that the cost of making a banana 
plantation in that republic, and of cultivating it 
two years, is $96.52 per acre; that the yield is 
7S2 bunches, or 391.3 yearly, and the profit $147.39 
per crop. These figures gave the averages of 
many experiences, and were approved by the 
superintendent of the Costa Rica Railroad. 

Hon. Thos. O'Hara, lately U. S. Consul at 
Graytown, Nicaragua, is an able and careful col- 
lector of data, and brings the mind of a highly 
trained lawyer to the analysis of evidence offered. 
He says in Consular Reports, No. 203, that gov- 
ernmental and other statistics show that 197 
plantations of the Bluefields district had 1,420,515 
plants on 7,100 acres, which gave annually 2,101,- 
000 bunches of bananas, valued at $855,107, which 
was equal to 40.7 cents per bunch. The labor 
and provisions used in producing these cost an 
average of $13.49 P^r acre. The average annual 



yield is thus shown to have been 296 bunches, the 
average cost 4. 7 cents per bunch, and the profit 
$196.98 an acre yearly. 

It is said that the Boston Fruit Company was 
formed in 1887 with a capital of $200,000 and now 
has a capital of $500,000, a reserve of $1,000,000, 
owns 28,000 acres and rents 16,000 acres of land 
in Jamaica, annually ships more than 4,600,000 
bunches bananas, 5,000.000 cocoanuts and quanti- 
ties of cocoa, alspice and other products, in carry- 
ing whi<"h it uses twelve steamships. 

A seemingly careful statement of the cost of 
banana growing on 5.000 acres in Mexico states 
that for eight j^ears the average was 11^ cents 
but the general averages of reports covering ex- 
periences of fifteen years or more, by hundreds of 
planters in various parts of Central America, show 
that the cost of clearing and planting, cultivating 
and harvesting banana plantations averaged $23 1 7 
per acre, the yield was 300)^ bunches annually, 
worth $107.20, or 35.7 cents per bunch. This 
equalled an annual profit of $84.03 per acre or 
28 cents per bunch, or 362.3 per cent, on the cost 
of production. As these figures accurately rep- 
resent the worst as well as the best, and all inter- 
mediate results obtained by men of all degrees of 
industry and skill under different conditions, it is 



clear that they must be more trustworthy as a 
base of calculation than can be the experience of 
any individual planter. 

A banana plantation of say lo hectares (24.7 
acres) would at these rates cost $572.30 in addi- 
tion to the cost of the land. If the price of the 
land be say $10 per acre the whole cost would be 
$819.40, the first crop would be 7,400 bunches 
worth §2,641.80, which would be $1,822.40 more 
than the entire cost. 

Careful study of all available information shows 
that in banana growing: 

Per Per 

Hectare. Acre. 

Cleariiij,' and planting- can be done for §37 $15.00 

Cultivatinyand harvesting can be done for- $20 S8.00 

With plants 15 feet apart there are 549 222 

Yield averag-es a crop each nine months, 
or yearly, bunches 730 294 

Value of crop at H of lowest price of Cen- 
tral American bananas 5146 SS8.80 

Value of crop at 14 of hig-hest price of Cen- 
tral American bananas--- S584 §253.20 

Cash profit on crop at K lowest present 

wholesale price in New York §89 §35.80 

Cash profit on crop at K of hig-hest New 

York wholesale price §527 S212.20 

Average cost of first crop, per bunch 10.4c. 

Average cost of subsequent crops, per 

bunch - 7.4c. 



If i,ooo hectares (2,471 acres) of our land should 
be planted at once with bananas, they would give 
750,000 bunches annually. Without the fruit 
from plantations of others, these will be enough 
to keep steamships running regularly once a week 
from Gracias to the United States. This will in- 
sure a readj^ cash market, and the benefits which 
will come from the use of fully $200,000 more year- 
ly than now goes to the Comarca. These benefits 
will include the further rapid development of the 
Comarca, and consequent increase in value of our 
lands ; the incoming of new planters and of arti- 
sans, who will be required to make houses, furni- 
ture, tools and other things for the community, 
and probably to put products of plantations into 
tins, glass and other packages. 

To hasten these benefits we are selling 3,000 
acres of the choicest banana land, in lots of 10 
hectares (24.7 acres) each, four per cent, of the 
price to be paid down, two per cent, each of the 
next eight months, and So per cent, from half of 
the first products of the lots thus sold. One-fifth 
of each such lot is to be planted withbananas within 
six months after it shall be so bought. If the 
profits be invested in planting until all be in ba- 
nanas, and if none of the fruit should sell for more 
than 20 cents a bunch or one-quarter of the lowest 



present wholesale price in New York for the 
lowest grade of Central American bananas, the 
account with such a lot will be, not including 
price of land: 

FIRST YEAR. 
Clearing- and planting- 2 H. at $37 (4.9 acres at $15) -- S 74 

Cultivating- and harvesting- at $20 40 

Profit from 2 H. 178 

Total, equals value of 1,460 bunches at 20 cents-- S292 
SECOND YEAR. 

Clearing: and planting 2.5 H. at $37 - Sill 

Cultivating and harvesting 4.5 H 90 

Profit from 4.5 H 483 

Total, equals value of 3,420 bunches at 20 cents-- S684 
THIRD YEAR. 

Clearing and planting 5.5 H. at S37--- --- S 204 

Cultivating and harvesting 10 H --- 200 

Profit on 10 H - 1,056 

Total, equals value of 7,300 bunches at 20 cents-- Sl,460 

Bananas are worth 50@75c. at the seaside near- 
est the plantations. At 50 cents the cash profit 
on the crop the first year would be $566; the sec- 
ond year $2,691, plus the value of the land and 
improvements. 

We are also prepared to offer: 

To clear and plant with bananas for buyers the 
land offered ; provided that they will pay for such 



planting at the rate of $37 per hectare ($15 per 
acre), on drafts at 10 days' sight, each such draft 
to be accompanied by a certificate which shall 
state the area that shall have been so planted, 
and that 200 banana plants were, at the time of 
making such draft, growing on each acre for the 
planting of which said draft shall be made. 

To cultivate and harvest all bananas for one 
year ; provided that the owner will pay quarter- 
yearly at the rate of $5 per hectare ($2 per acre), 
for so cultivating and harvesting, on drafts at 10 
days' sight, each such draft to be accompanied by 
a certificate which shall state the area which shall 
have been so cultivated during the quarter year 
for which payment shall be so drawn. 

To carry to and deliver aboard a steamship 
near the mouth of the river Uang all saleable 
fruit from such land; provided that the owners 
will on sight drafts pay 5 cents for each bunch 
of fruit which so delivered, each of said drafts to 
be accompanied by a certificate which shall state 
the number of such bunches which shall be so 
delivered. 

Advantages offered by our plan are: i. Clear- 
ing and planting are done by natives, skillful at 
and content with such work, the food and wages. 
2. Under our first plan buyers pay down merely 



IS 




FRKIGHT TRAIN IN MATAGAI.PA. 




HARVESTING BANANAS. 



enough to "bind the bargain," and other instal- 
ments enough to make the money payments equal 
two-fitths of the price, leaving three-fifths to 
be paid by half the products of the land. Buyers 
will have half these products, even if for years the 
other half should be too httle to pay that three- 
fifths. 3. Clearing and planting, cultivating and 
harvesting are to be paid for only after they have 
been done. Often the plants will have been grow- 
ing weeks before those payments must be made. 
4. Buyers can stay at home, enjoying their pres- 
ent incomes until this small investment for land 
and for its improvement will give income enough 
to support a family in the United States, or to pay 
their way to the new home and keep them in 
comfort there. 

We are ready to contract to take bananas at 25 
cents per bunch in payment for all accounts due us 
for land, labor or goods. This practically insures 
you as good profits as are shown by our estimates 
of cost and income from banana growing. It makes 
ours the safest and most profitable of enterprises 
open to people of moderate means ; and offers prac- 
tically a business-like profit-sharing undertaking. 

CocoANUTS thrive wherever planted on the 
Caribbean shore, and as far as 50 to 7 5 miles from 
the sea. The annual yield is said to range from 



80 to 400 nuts per tree, and their selling value 
from Si 5 to $45 per 1,000. Planted 30 feet apart 
there would be 56 per acre, which should give 
4,480 to 22,400 yearly, worth S67.20 to $672. The 
cost of a cocal where conditions are like these on 
our coast may be safely estimated as below per 
100 acres: 

5,600 sprouted nuts at 2 cents $1,120 

5 men 3 months at Sl2 each per month 180 

5 women 1 month at 30 

Rations for laborers 25 

Total cost of making' cocal §1,555 

1 man 5 years at $144 $ 720 

Rations for man 150 

Tools 50 

Total cost of makingr and maintenance $2,275 

Cocoanuts begin yielding when 5 years old and 
continue to give fruit 50 to So years, at no cost 
other than for husking and gathering the nuts, 
which should not be more than $2 per 1,000. 

Pineapples are often planted 18 to 24 inches 
apart, or 10,890 to 19,360 per acre. Of these 75 
per cent, are expected to yield within 12 to 18 
months after planting, or to give 8,ooc to 14,000 
fruits worth $2,000 to $3,500 per annum per acre. 
Good pineapples are raised on the sandy loam of 
the savana in the eastern half of the Comarca, 



18 




COLONISTS CAMPING ON THE BEACH. 



without cultivation and with no other preparation 
of the ground than digging the little holes in 
which to set the sprouts. The fertile, moist sides 
of the hills farther back, and the sandy ridges 
near the sea are well suited to growing pineap- 
ples. Even if they should sell for no more than 
a cent apiece they would pay good profits. 

The quality of the pineapples grown in the Co- 
marca, and at Pearl Lagoon, some 140 miles to 
the south, where there is a cannery, is quite equal 
to that of Cuba and Jamaica fruit. The canning 
of pineapples may be easily made profitable on 
the Uang. 

Oranges of excellent quality and size are grown 
on seedling trees in the Comarca. Thej^ can be 
grown and boxed there and placed in New York 
at a cost less than that of carrying oranges from 
California to the Atlantic. While it would, be- 
yond doubt, pay well to deeply dig up the soil be- 
fore setting the trees, the fact is that scores of 
orange trees in the Comarca give good crops with- 
out having ever received any cultivation. No en- 
riching of the soil is required. 

Other Fruits, as guavas, mangoes and maran- 
ones, figs, grapes and plums, persimmons, etc., 
may be made sources of great revenue for the 
Comarca, as most of these may be put in tin or in 



glass for export to Europe, or to the United 
States. Sale for considerable quantities of pre- 
served fruits may be had in the Repiiblica Mayor, 
where duties on such foods are very high. 

Of fruits which are usually not preserved, and 
others which add to the long list of enjoyable 
foods of the Comarca, there are many, including 
aguacates, nisperos and sapodillas, granadillas, 
sapotes and coco plums, star apples, melons and 
papayas. The hills will produce apricots, peaches 
and plums, olives, possibly apples and certainlj'- 
blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. Con- 
siderable quantities of such fruits, dried, are im- 
ported from California, and sold at high prices in 
Nicaragua. A fruit preserving and turtle canning 
factory will be established in the Comarca as 
early as practicable. 

Coffee grows luxuriantlj^ on the banks of the 
Uang, even on lands only 35 to 50 feet above sea 
level. The hills of the Uaspuc and the Falling 
Waters, rising to 1,000 feet in places, will proba- 
bly prove excellent coffee grounds. Planters there 
would have easy and cheap transportation by the 
Uang to Cabo Gracias, and there be practically 
fully 1,000 miles nearer to European markets 
than are planters of Matagalpa and Jinotega, or 
those of Salvador and Guatamala. 



20 




BENEATH THE COCO PALMS. 



At Bocai are plantations of some hundreds of 
thousands of coffee trees, from which the first 
crop was shipped this year. At San Florida on 
the Uang, 113 miles by river from the sea, and at 
Bocai also, trees only 24 to 30 months old bore 25 
to 50 berries on a branch. 

Hon. Thomas T. Crittenden, U. S. Consul- 
General at Mexico, said in effect in Consular Re- 
ports No. 192 that the hrst four years of a coffee 
plantation in that country the outlay would be, 
for 100 acres, $17,937.50, including $2,500 for 
machinery and houses, and that the yield in the 
last two of those years would be coffee worth 
$22,500. He quoted Joseph Walsh of Philadel- 
phia to the effect that the value of a coft'ee plan- 
tation in full bearing is $600 to $800 an acre, and 
that a cafetal will pay 100 to 300 per cent, annually 
on the capital invested, each tree giving 3 to 10 
pounds a year, and that while the average cost of 
production is 7 cents the selling price was 20(0^22 
cents per pound. Prof. Moses of the University 
of California visited Mexico in 1895, and reported 
that the cost of producing coffe there was, in gen- 
eral, between 8 and 10 cents per pound, and that 
it sold at 25 to 32 cents. U'. S. Consul Schaefer 
reported from Mexico that during its first four 
years a cafetal cost some $84.93 per acre, and 



gave a crop worth $93. The American managers 
of four young cafetals in Managua, Nicaragua, 
say that the cost of such plantations during their 
first four years will be $207, the crops 900 pounds 
wortli $270. This shows a profit of $63 in money 
in addition to the value,of the improvements paid 
for by the $207. The estate of El Tacaniste, in 
southern Nicaragua, harvested some 80,000 
pounds of coffee which cost $ii.85@$i4.30 per 
quintal, and sold at S25@$3o, a profit of $13.15® 
$15.70 per quintal. An elaborate and manifestly 
most careful report published by the Department 
of State, January 17, 1S9S, shows that the cost of 
a cafetal in Hawaii is, at the end of its fourth 
year, $250 per acre. 

The averages of the reports examined indicate 
that it will be safe to calculate the cost of a coffee 
estate in its fourth year, or the time of its first 
full crop, at $270 per acre; that it will then yield 
1,200 pounds of coffee of a value of say $378, and 
a profit of $139. 90 per acre. After that the yearly 
cost should be $65 to I70, the yield 1,200 to i,Soo 
pounds, and the income S240@$36o per acre, or 
$175 to $190 per acre profit. 

Cacao seeds were used as money for centuries 
in Central America. Chocolate and cocoa are made 
from cacao. The trees are found wild in the 




SHIPPING BANANAS. 



forests of northern Honduras and in Nicaragua, 
and are to some extent cultivated there. They 
bear when about five years old, require little care 
and get less from the natives, yet they give 
greater profits than are obtained from coft'ee. No 
machinery is required for curing the seeds. 

Seiior Don Santiago Callejos, formerly a mem- 
ber of the cabinet of President Zelaya of Nica- 
ragua, was commissioned in 1S95 to study the 
Atlantic coast of Nicaragua and make a report 
upon its resources. The report is published by 
the Bureau of Foreign Commerce at Washington. 
It contains the following relating to cacao grow- 
ing on the Atlantic shore of our State : ' ' The 20th 
we continued our journey 25 miles above to the 
settlement of Sixacuas. At a short distance from 
this place there are some plantations of cacao 
and sugarcane, which are cultivated with good 
results. I talked with a Mr. Rojas, who has 4,000 
cacao trees which produced this year 240 medios 
(12,000 pounds) of good cacao as the first crop. 
The price at which it is sold there is 50 cents per 
pound. * * * * There is also found a species 
of wild cacao, and I was assured that it grows and 
bears as well as any in the best lands of the De- 
partment of Rivas. Mr. Blakesley, a merchant 
of this place, told me stories so surprising that 



they would have seemed untruthful had I not 
known that he was a person of reliability. He 
also assured me that he had found as many as 42 
pods of very good cacao on a wild tree." 

Kola (the sterculia nut) is becoming highly 
prized, and may be a source of profit to planters, 
of the valley of the Uang. Its use is extending 
in the United States. 

Beans of many varieties are grown in Central 
America, yet great quantities of beans are im- 
ported. Frijolitas negras are little black or dark 
brown beans unsurpassed in flavor, and a favorite 
food from Mexico to South America. Enormous, 
quantities may be raised, and sold at good profit. 

Grain of any kind other than maize and rice is 
unknown to the agriculture of the Comarca of 
Gracias a Dios. Yet rice, corn, wheat flour and 
other foods are imported to feed the laborers on 
plantation, in forest and in mine. Flour sells at 
$10 per half barrel. 

Vegetables of many kinds may be produced 
successfully in Central America, but the people 
are with reason contented with the cassava, cocos 
and sweet potatoes, squashes, yams and tomatoes, 
which yield so abundantly for little care or labor. 

Cassava may be made quite profitable. It is 
grown by many if not by all families in the Co- 



24 




A WAIKNA MANSION. 



marca of Cabo Gracias. Bitter cassava contains a 
juice strong with hydrochloric acid, a deadly 
poison which is easily expelled by heat in cook- 
ing. Its leaves usually have seven branches or 
points. Those of the sweet or wholesome cassava 
are usually five pointed. The "Treasury of 
Botanj' " says that both varieties are extensively 
cultivated over the greater part of tropical Amer- 
ica, and yield an abundance of wholesome and 
nutritious food. The poisonous juice, allowed to 
settle, deposits a large quantity of starch known 
as Brazilian arrowroot or tapioca, from which the 
tapioca of the shops is made simply by heating 
the moist starch on hot plates. The heat causes 
the starch cells to swell, burst and become ag- 
glutinated together. The leaves are much rel- 
ished by cattle. 

The United States Department of Agriculture 
gives, in its Bulletin No. 44, published in 1894, 
much valuable information about methods of cul- 
ture, yield and products of cassava. Its conclu- 
sions, based on careful experiments and inquiry, 
are as follows; 

It will yield with fair treatment on the sand 
soils from four to five tons per acre. 

It will give, when properly manufactured, from 



20 to 25 per cent, of the weight of the fresh root 
in starch of high grade. 

The starch is naturally in a pure state, and no 
chemicals of any kind are required in its manu- 
facture. 

The starch resembles in its physical properties 
the starch of maize, and can be used as a substi- 
tute therefor in all cases. 

An excellent article of tapioca can be made 
from the starch of the cassava plant. 

Glucose can be prepared directly from the 
starch, or more profitably from the pulp of the 
peeled root. 

The plant furnishes an excellent human and 
cattle food, deficient, however, in nitrogen. It 
would make a well-balanced ration for cattle 
when mixed with one-fourth its weight of cotton- 
seed oilcake. 

As climate and soil of the Comarca of Cabo 
Gracias are much more favorable to the growth 
of cassava than are those of the districts referred 
to by the Bulletin, the gains will be greater in 
Nicaragua than they could be in the United 
States. 

Cores are the taro of the Sandwich Islands, or 
the Elephant's Ear (colocasia esculenta) of the 
florists. Root and leaf are excellent food, and 



26 




A BIT OF CABO GRACIAS A DIGS. 



yield large crops. The bulb is of slightly sweet 
flavor, easily prepared for the table, and it likely 
will afford quite as much food for a given cost as 
will cassava. It may best be grown on wet 
lands, or land under four to eight inches of water. 
Most of the cocos grown in Central American 
states is from moist lands along the river banks, 
but we have along the lower Uang thousands of 
acres of lower land, suited for the produciion of 
cocos and rice. 

Sugarcane is grown in every part of Nicaragua. 
It is much richer than that cultivated in the 
States, and gives heavy crops for generations in 
succession, without replanting. Large sugar 
plantations and mills are in southern Nicaragua. 
One in the Comarca would no doubt pay well, for 
the duty is high, and all the sugar used in eastern 
Nicaragua is imported. 

Tobacco equal to the Havana leaf grows every- 
where in Nicaragua. Cotton trees grow to a 
height of 20 to 30 feet, live 25 to 40 years or more 
and give a never ceasing crop of fair quality. 

Vanilla culture has received some attention in 
Nicaragua, where the government offers a bounty 
for its encouragement. Sarsaparilla may become 
most profitable, as might the growing of peanuts, 
pecans, chestnuts, grapes and many other pro- 



ducts. Almost every fruit grown in California or 
the Southern States may be produced in Nicara- 
gua at less cost. 

Rubber gathering employed hundreds in the 
Comarca, but as they were killing most of the 
trees, the government forbade gathering, hand- 
ling or exporting the gum, except from planta- 
tion?, during the next ten years. A liberal bounty 
is offered to encourage planting of rubber trees. 
It is asserted that such trees may be tapped when 
eight or ten years old, and will give $2,000 profit 
per acre yearly when in full yield. The cost of 
planting is very small. 

Woods of fine grain are common in the forests 
of Nicaragua. Mahogany has been for genera- 
tions the chief export of the Atlantic coast of the 
States; but none has been cut near the Uang in 
the last quarter of a century. Large areas near 
the river have never been touched by lumber- 
men A single tree on one of the lots we sell may 
be worth more to ttie buyer than the lot will cost. 

Spanish cedar is even more abundant than mia- 
hogany iilong the Uang. It is worth almost as 
much as is mahogany. Rosewood, cocobolo, dus- 
pouni, santa maria and other fine cabinet woods 
are common there. 

Yellow pine is perhaps the most valuable forest 



28 




s^ii^a* 



MONOTOMBO. 



product of the Comarca, although its price per foot 
is lower than that of other woods. It fringes nearly 
every mile of the great savana, which is some 80 
miles square In many places the pine extends 
miles out into the prairie. Lumber can be made of 
it at small cost, to supply the demand which will 
surely come as soon as settlers begin the develop- 
ment of the Comarca, or the construction of the 
Nicaragua ship canal shall begin. 

Live stock thrives on the savanas. The grass 
there is always green, pure water abundant at 
short distances, there is never any excessive heat 
nor uncomfortable cold. Beeves sell freely at S20 
to $35, and milch cows at S30 to $40 in the coast 
towns of Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. 
Pigs, poultry and cheese all sell well and cost 
little. Cheese brings 30@;36c., beef j^moc,, 
pork io(ft20c. per pound, and chickens 25(r/..50C. 
each. 

G.AME is in plenty in the Comarca. Deer fatten 
by hundreds on the savanas, and are on every 
pine-covered hill in northern Nicaragua. Agoutis 
or Indian rabbits, armadillos and raccoons, opos- 
sums, monkeys and iguanas, tapirs, the collared 
peccaries and an occasional manatee or sea-cow, 
are killed for food. Quail, pigeons and ring-doves. 



pheasants, ducks and plover, cuam and curassow 
or turkeys are among our game birds. 

Alligators of gigantic size frequent many 
lagoons seldom visited by man. Ocelots are 
often seen close to towns, and the spotted tiger or 
jaguar is found in the forests of every part of the 
country, sometimes on the very sea beach. Its 
fierce cousin the tigre negro or black tiger is 
sometimes found in the dense woods of the hill 
country, and the puma or mountain lion is more 
often found in the inhabited country. 

Of fish there are tarpon in schools, while Span- 
ish mackerel, baracouta, and kingfish, red snap- 
per, junefish and many others, swarm along the 
coast and in the lagoons. Green and hawksbill 
turtle, terrapin and oysters abound. They will 
employ many in a factor}- which will preserve 
fruit, fish and oysters there. 

From New York to Gracias are $75 
first cabin, and $35 second cabin. The 
steamers are large, seaworthy and comfortable. 
They usually pass Cape Maysi, at the eastern ex- 
treme of Cuba, touch Port Moran or perhaps at 
Kingston, Jamaica, and thence run directly west 
by south to Cabo Gracias a Dios. The voyage re- 
quires some seven or eight days. 

Those who prefer can go to New Orleans or 



FARES 



30 




BANANAS AS THEY GROW. 



COST OF LIVING. 



iVIobile, and thence by steamers which pass with- 
in four or five miles of the lighthouse at Cabo 
Gracias a Dios. These steamers will laud pas- 
sengers or freight whenever there may be enough 
to warrant. Fares from Mobile or New Orleans 
are about S30 first cabin and $15 second-class. 
The voyage takes four days. The price of pas- 
sage will be reduced as soon as a considerable num- 
ber of passengers can be brought together for the 
voyage. Special rates by rail may be obtained at 
the same time, from competing points inthe States. 
In Gracias, for two men, 
averaged Si. 24 each per da5^ 
They employed a good cook and a house servant; 
and their fare consisted of fresh beef three days 
of the week, fresh fish every day if they wished; 
green turtle steaks, roasts and soup; oysters, 
ducks and pigeons, venison and wild pig; poultry 
and eggs. They had good wheat bread, biscuits 
and cakes ; breadfruit, cassava and cocos, sweet 
potatoes, yams and rice, beans and peas. For 
fruit they had aguacates, oranges and melons, 
papayas, mangos and marafiones, pineapples, 
limes and bananas, plantains, tomatoes and other 
fruits. There were tea and coffee with cow's milk 
or cocoanut milk, the latter preferred, apd always 
limes with which to make limeade. 



One can live without privation on a plantation 
for little more than Si 75 a year, keeping one ser- 
vant, and a family of five can live in comfort for 
S3 00 a year. 

„, „„ Fle.'i.s infest the Indian 

DISAGREEABLES. , , .^, t ,. 

towns along the Lang, 

and even in Gracias they are as great a pest as 
they are in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Chigoes 
are minute fleas which work through the outer 
to the inner layers of the skin, usually of the feet, 
and staj' there while maturing their eggs. If 
neglected they multiply greatly and become an- 
noying, but seldom painful. They are easih' re- 
moved by needle or penknife, or if in great 
numbers, by use of kerosene emulsion. They 
seldom trouble people of cleanly habits. 

Mos(jLiTos are less numerous and annoying near 
the coast or on the savanas than in the suburbs of 
Manhattan or in most towns in the United States. 
There are few in the mountains. Sandflies are 
found in some places on the seashore, while other 
places are quite free from them. When the sea 
breeze sinks away for a few minutes, as it seldom 
does, these minute white gnats annoy new- 
comers. Houseflies are practically unknown, and 
waterbugs and bedbugs are never seen there. 

Scorpions, tarantulas and centipedes are as sel. 



32 




KL!i^sHtf**^ 



THREE-YEAR-OLD COFFEE FINCA. 



dom seen in Nicaragua as are bumblebees in New 
York, and are about as harmful as are such bees. 
Their sting or bite is seldom if ever fatal. In the 
forests and on pastures are cattle ticks such as are 
common in the southern states. They are some- 
what annoying, but do no serious harm. They 
rarely trouble people in settlements. 

Venomous serpents are seen in Nicaragua no 
more frequently than they are in New York or 
Pennsylvania. Two species of venomous snakes 
are known in the Comarca of Cabo Gracias a 
Dios; the coral, which is said to be the most 
deadly, and the tamagas. The bite of the last 
named is less harmful than that of the rattlesnake 
of the plains of the southwest. Both these snakes 
are timid, and not often seen. It is probable that 
the fires which burn over the savanas, and the 
wild pigs which keenly hunt every rod of forest. 
keep down the numbers of snakes. Even of use- 
ful serpents, such as the boa, few are seen in 
Nicaragua — none of large size. 
POAns ^^ ^^^ Comarca are mere footpaths, 
but they may easily be made wagon- 
ways, particularly on the prairie, which covers a 
territory of some 6,400 square miles. The State 
has agreed that E.W. Perry and his assignees shall 
have the right to make, improve and to use any 



road and any waterway in the Comarca, on terms 
as favorable as may be granted to any person or 
company. A strip wide enough for a good public 
highway along the boundaries of each tract of 100 
hectares of the Perry land grant, is reserved for 
perpetual use by the public. 

Transportation in the Comarca is almost wholly 
by canoes dug from tree trunks and paddled by 
Indians. Carrying by this means costs some 44 
cents a ton per mile. This would equal $1.25 a 
bunch for carrying bananas from the Uaspuc to 
the sea. They may be carried by suitable steam- 
boats for 10 cents per bunch. 

Another difficulty or drawback the Comarca has 
is the want of a secure harbor where freight may 
be transferred from ship and shore. This adds 
largely to the risk and cost of operations there, as 
all goods and passengers are taken in open boats 
between the anchorage and Gracias, a distance of 
fully two miles. This difficulty will be removed. 

These are the only obstacles or drawbacks of 
which we know. We describe them frankly. The 
Comarca is not a paradise — if it was we'd charge a 
high price for land there. But it is a place where 
money can be easily and surely made by any who 
sees fit to invest there the price of a seat at the 
theater each week, or that of a few cigars, glasses 



34 



of beer or dishes of ice cream, which not only give 
evanescent pleasure but help to fix a habit of 
spending which will do much to hold one all his 
life in salaried bondage. 

GOVERNMENT, ""^'^l^^^^ ^^'^-'^l ^'^'^ 
see the Lomarca the home ot 

a prosperous people as soon as possible, and to 
further that aim has given explicit assurances 
that law-abiding and industrious people shall be 
welcomed and protected there. Those who may 
buy our lands will have no land tax to pay, 
nor will they at any time be required to pay other 
or larger taxes of any kind than shall be at the 
same time required of the most favored person or 
company in that country. Nor will they have to 
pay duties on seeds or plants, animals or machin- 
ery imported for improvement of native pro- 
ducts. The rebellions which are such a source of 
uneasiness to people of the north, usually prove a 
benefit rather than a lasting injury to the foreigner 
who does not meddle with politics there. 

Will depend on the 
purposes for which it 
is wanted. If for banana growing, it will be bet- 
ter to take rich alluvium adjoining the Rio Uang, 
because it will probably be overflowed by the 
river once or twice a year, and be so enriched by 



SELECTION OF LAND 



sediment that other fertilization will not be re- 
quired to keep the yield up to a high standard. 

If cocoar\uts are to be grown sandy land close 
to navigable salt water should be taken. 

If the purpose is to raise oranges, lemons or 
limes, mangos, pineapples or vegetables, for home 
use or for sale to the exporter or to the mines, 
the fertile savana or the hill sides should be 
chosen. For coffee and cacao the higher parts of- 
the hills will be best. 

We will select, to the best of our ability, for our 
customers the very best situations in the Comarca. 
Our years of acquaintance with the country and 
the requirements for different uses, will enable us 
to do this well, and our own interests demand 
that it shall be done to the profit of our pur- 
chasers. 

All living creatures must eat. 
Man will buy food before pay- 
ing for clothing or other necessaries. Land which 
will give food is the only absolutely safe invest- 
ment. It has value according: r. To its food 
producing capacity ; 2. To the cost of producing 
that food; 3. To the cost of putting that food in- 
to possession of consumers ; 4. To the value of 
that food. 

An acre of bananas annually yields 15,700 



INVESTMENTS. 



36 




PICKING COFFEE. 



pounds of fruit equal in food value to 260 bushels 
of potatoes. The fruit costs $10.50, including in- 
terest on the price of land, its clearing and plant- 
ing, and the cost of cultivating, harvesting and 
delivery of the crop at the waterside. 

The chief crops of the United States in 1897 
gave average results shown in the table below. 
The last column shows the difference per acre in 
favor of growing bananas on our lands; 



Crops. 


Tiehi 
pi-r acre. 


Value 
per acre. 


Faz'or of 
bananas. 


Potatoes, bushels 

Wheat, bushels 


64.7 
13.4 
24.5 
20.9 
16.1 
23.8 
27.2 
1.43 


S35.39 
10.83 
9.24 
8.80 
7.20 
6.25 
5.77 
9.47 


% 71.81 
96.37 
97.96 


Buckwheat, bushels. ... 


98.40 
100.00 




100.95 




101.43 




97.73 






General averag-es 


$ 8.26 


$ 98.94 



In the United States a farm which yields a 
yearly profit of $60 an acre is worth more than 
$600 per acre. One acre of bananas on our land 
will yield a net profit of S60 an acre annually even 
even if its crops should sell for no more than one- 
quarter of the 1 owest price of the lowest quality 
of Central American bananas in New York today: 
therefore an acre of our land should be worth $600. 



Can you anywhere buy land on safer or more 
profitable terms ? Can you invest money more 
safely or profitably ? If you buy a home to save 
rent, you may be doing wisely ; but the moment 
you stop work you begin eating up that home. 
It is non-productive. But if you own a few acres 
of plantation you have in them safe insurance 
against such privations as come through business 
changes, accident, illness or old age. Nor must 
you who pay for such insurance be disabled or 
die before any one can enter upon its enjoyment. 
Every day you will share its material benefits 
with others for whose sake you labor. You may 
la}' aside care and toil, secure in the certainty that 
whether you are asleep or awake, idle or toiling, 
sick or well, at home or abroad, your crops will 
go on growing, renewing themselves and yielding 
their fruit, an ample support for you and for 
youi"s. 

You may not be well acquainted with the condi- 
tions of climate, soil and labor, or with the cost 
of any or all the items which go to make up the 
expense for fruit growing in Nicaragua. The 
terms we offer give ample time to become thor- 
oughly acquainted with all these, and to discover, 
all errors or other possible cause for discontent 
before your payments shall have amounted to 



38 




BANANAS BV '1 HE TLACII) KIXER. 



more than the mere chance to secure such a plan- 
tation is worth. Thus all risks are reduced to a 
minimum. 

These facts should convince you that our pur- 
pose is to first honestly prepare the way for a pros- 
perous colony, then to induce the owners to make 
their homes on or near their properties. If they 
will build*homes near each other on the open, 
sunny, healthful savana they will have all the ad- 
vantages of village life, of association with others 
of intelligence and of like tastes, and thus avoid 
the isolation which makes farm life in the States 
so distasteful, costly, and at times intolerable. 

No one is asked to accept with- 
out thorough investigation the 
statements made herein. The more complete and 
searching the examination the better for all con- 
cerned ; for the resources of Nicaragua will thus be- 
come better known and the Comarca will the more 
quickly fill with people of prudence, enterprise 
and intelligence, and our property rise rapidly in 
value. Among the publications which may be 
profitably studied are the U. S. Consular Reports, 
the Hand Books and Monthly Bulletins of the 
Bureau of American Republics, Washington; 
"Honduras,"' by Cecil Charles, Rand & McNally. 



INVESTIGATE. 



ENDORSEriENT. 



Chicago, publishers ; Notes on Central America, 
by E. G. Squire, Harper Bros., New York, 
publishers; Symmonds' Tropical Agriculture; 
cyclopedias and other works which may be found 
in well equipped public libraries. 

The Consul-General of Great- 
er Republic of Central Amer- 
ica wrote as follows, under date of October 17, 
1898: 
Mr. Edward W Pekry, 

Dear Sir: — I have carefully examined the state- 
ments made in the pamphlet entitled "Nicaragua, 
A Rich New Field," written by you. I am 
pleased to say that I have official notice of the 
concession made to you by the Government o£ 
Nicaragua, and to which you refer in the said 
pamphlet. 

I am happy to add that from olficial documents 
I know that you have enjoyed the confidence of the 
Government of Nicaragua, rendering important 
services in which you have proved your ability 
and integrity. 

N. BoLET Peraza, 
Consul-General of the Greater Republic of Cen- 
tral America. 



40 



ENDORSEHENTS. 



Following are copies of letters addressed to, or relating to Mr. E. W. Perry, by business men well 
established in Central America, and by others whose opinions are founded on intimate acquaintance 
with him or with the affairs of those states; 



Matagalpa, Nicaragua, Nov. 12, 1897. 
My Dear Mr. Perry: 

Yours of recent date to hand and in reply to 
your request for the expression of my personal 
observations andconvictions concerning the safety 
and protection of foreigners and their properties, 
in general, in Nicaragua, especially during revo- 
lutionary disturbances. I would say the govern- 
ment of Nicaragua does everything in its power 
for guaranteeing protection to foreigners and 
their property. So much so that after seven years' 
experience I have never known but one instance 
where any foreigner ever suffered directly from 
a revolution here, and that being only the loss of 
a saddle mule, in 1893. 

However, indirectly the interests of everybody 
suffer during political disturbances, just the same 
as during an election in the United States, when 
business comes to a standstill. 



But the termination of these disturbances re- 
sults in many citizens being expelled from the 
country, which opens many new opportunities for 
the more enterprising foreigners to extend all 
branches of their business. 

This, in brief, is the result of my observations, 
and hoping you will understand what I have tried 
to make clear, I remain. 

Yours respectfully, 

P. E. ViGGE. 



New York, March 8, 1898. 
Mr. E. W. Perry, 

Cape Gracias 4 Dios, Nicaragua. 
Dear Sir: — I certainly believe that the Mer- 
chants' Association could exert and influence bet- 
ter trade relations than nov/ exist between the 
United States and Nicaragua, where I have re- 
sided for a good many years. 



One thing that hurts these relations is the wild 
publications in some of the New York papers, of 
some of the street wars occuring in some of the 
Pacific towns, magnifying them into revolutions ; 
all sorts of dangerous reports, scareing capital 
away and injuring both interests. 

In justice to Nicaragua I can say that I have 
always seen foreign capital well protected, and 
personally received none but favors from, its 
rulers and subordinate officers, for the asking. 
That part of Central America is certainly un- 
known, as, to my practical knowledge of the 
country, I do not know any in which capital 
could be better invested than in its development. 
Its resources are unlimited, but unknown from 
the American public, who are now rushing M'ild 
millions into the unfit-to-live Klondike. Nicara- 
guans do not need to go into the polar region as 
they have their Klondike at home, but it is 'yet 
unknown and undeveloped. Enterprises and 
manufactures could be created there which would 
enrich the United States and that country, if the 
New York Merchants' Association would help to 
stop the prejudice created by foolish, false and 
sensational reports published by some papers 
which erroneous reports prevent capitalists in- 
vesting in that country. 



42 



You can tell the Association that there is no 
country where capital, and especially foreign 
capital, is better protected than in Nicaragua. 
The London branch of the Morgan banking house 
is well satisfied of it, and has some capital in 
there ; but you know the English go everywhere. 
Lately I have noticed that Americans in some of 
the southern and eastern cities are investing 
gradually in its gold mines and fields, but manu- 
facturers are yet behind the times; they have no 
agents there, no travelers, and it is only due to 
the enterprise of a few Americans scattered in 
the country that American manufactures are 
known, and where known replace to advantage 
English and German goods. Let American manu- 
facturers realize that the trade of these near-at- 
home foreign markets is worth having, and when 
they appreciate it and make some effort to get it, 
they will not have so many strikes amongst their 
laborers as they have now. 

Very truly yours, 

C. Carlos. 
It is a significant fact that most English and 
German houses continue to do business in 
Latin-American countries through disturbances 
of the peace, and very seldom if ever complain 
that their property has been damaged; never 



that it has been taken by either party to the dis- 
turbances witliout ample satisfaction having been 
■voluntarily given therefor. This is a truth 
"worthy of careful consideration by Americans. 

Rev. J. E. Everett says, in a letter dated Jan. 
25, 1898: "A careful re-reading of the encyclope- 
dias thoroughly convinces me that the cocoanut 
is the crop for eventual growth. It looks, too, as 
if the pineapple might be grown near it for earlier 
returns. * * * * There is no question as to 
the profitableness of the vanilla crop." 

Lieut. Com. Charles A. Wright, U. S. S. 
Avenger, wrote, Aug. 11, 1865: "I take pleasure 
in recommending for promotion Edward W. 
Perry, mate. Having been under my command 
nearly one year, I can testify to his good official 
capacities, strictly moral and temperate habits, 
and his deportment as an officer and gentleman." 

In 1869, O. R. Johnson & Co., of which U. S. 
Senator Frank B. Stockbridge was a member, 
wrote: "We cheerfully recommend Mr. E. W. 
Perry to the confidence of anyone needing the 
services of a trustworthy young man." Without 
any other being having knowledge of his inten- 
tention, and seemingly when no other person had 
thought of his fitness for the office, Mr. Perry 



published strong reasons for nominating Mr. 
Stockbridge for the governship of Michigan. His 
party took up the idea, and he would have been 
nominated but for a trade with Bagley. 

U. S. Consul D. W. Herring wrote in 18S7 to 
Mr. Perry: " You have shown yourself a gentle- 
man and a man of your word. For a time you 
were the observed of all observerB, and your 
name was on the telegraph wires, upon the ca- 
bles, and on the tongues of the many. Your consul 
telegraphed of you and the situation to your min- 
ister. It was Boulanger in France, Bismark in 
Germany, Blaine in the United States and Perry 
in Honduras. If circumstances had widened 
your fame — as for a while it seemed they would — 
as far as that of Walker, you at least would have 
been blessed by a Christian world and warmly 
applauded by the enlightened sentiment of the 
XIX century!" 

In 1889 Consul Herring wrote: "Your con- 
duct in Tegucigalpa was that of a gentleman — a 
very sober, intelligent, energetic and highly 
moral man. The best proof of your standing 
and influence with the powers that be, is the 
very great success you had in obtaining what is, 
to my mind, the most valuable concession in 
Honduras." 



43 



Senor Don Jeronimo Zelaya, then minister of 
Foreign Relations of Honduras, wrote, July 8 
1890: " In fitting time, that is, when you return, 
the government will issue a decree giving you 
command of the Department of Mosquitia, as 
governor. All of us are desirous of seeing you 
here." 

The Government of Honduras offered to Mr. 
Perry a contract for construction of waterworks 
in the city of Tegucigalpa, and also in the city of 
Jutigalpa; for building a custom house at Tru- 
jillo and at Caratasca; for supplying all things 
required by the government ; for operating, for 
25 years, the postal and telegraph lines of that 
republic; for making any and all wagon roads in 
Honduras, and for using them for 25 years after 
they should be so made ; a commission for nego- 
tiating a §5,000,000 loan for the government, and 
for other works. 

Mr. Joseph Frank, financier, and secretary and 
treasurer of the Ogallala Land and Cattle Co., 
the Swan Brothers & Frank Cattle Co., and 
other important companies, wrote, Sept. 30, 
1891: "I take pleasure in introducing to your 
kind consideration Mr. E. W. Perry, formerly of 
this city, but now of the republic of Honduras. 
Mr. Perry has very valuable concessions and 



grants from the government of Honduras. He 
needs the co-operation of moneyed men to utilize 
these privileges. I have known Mr. Perry some 
time, and he is entitled to full credence." This 
was addressed to M. H. Perkins, president of the 
Importers & Traders Bank of New York. 

A. F. Wanner, president of the Union Type 
Foundry, Chicago, Oct. 3, 1891, wrote: '"The 
bearer, Mr. E. W. Perry, has been a customer of 
mine for the last twelve years. He has bought a 
good many thousand dollars' worth of goods 
from us, and has always paid his bills. Our busi- 
ness relations have brought us quite intimately 
into connection with him, and we believe him to 
be a thoroughly capable business man, and firmly 
believe he will be successful in any undertaking 
he goes into. He is a man of the highest integ- 
rity, and we confidently recommend him as 
worthy of any trust placed in him." 

Mr. J. M. Stover, president of a fruit canning 
company at Edgemont, Md., wrote in 1894: 
"Could I see my way clear, I would want noth- 
ing better than to associate with you in this en- 
terprise, accepting the offer you make in the ba- 
nana plantation ; but at present I am unable to do 
so. In reply to your note about referring to me, 
especially in relation to your Honduras enterprise* 



44 



I am quite willing to say that my business ac- 
quaintance with you has been very agreeable, 
and that I believe you to be worthy of the ut- 
most confidence. I can add that I have learned, 
from relatives, friends and others, enough about 
that part of Honduras in which you are interested, 
to convince me that it is a most agreeable, health- 
ful and profitable region, affording opportunities 
for investment that I would readily take advan- 
tage of if I were not just now loaded down with 
a large overstock of goods. I will be glad to go 
into your fruit and road enterprise as soon as I 
can safely do so." 

Mr. Isaac B. Potter, President of the L. A. 
W., wrote Oct. 3, 1894, as follows: "I have 
known you three years, as client and friend, and 
during that time your superior knowledge and 
splendid treatment of the subject have done 
much, not only to advance the cause, but to es- 
tablish your own place among its prominent 
movers. I hope the future may develop many 
more of the same sort." 

Mr. George M. Stearns, then of the Trust 
Company of America, and later actuary of an in- 
surance company of St. Louis, wrote in 1895: 
"Please let me know if you can now manage to 
go as we talked when I last saw you. I am not 



sure of completing arrangements, but if any man 
can succeed in that southern country, I am as- 
sured you can. Your personal acquaintance with 
so many high officials, and your standing with all 
influential parties in Honduras makes me more 
confident than ever that if you were to go you 
would be welcomed, and that there would be 
money to all parties concerned." 

Mr. a. K. Johnston, of the S. S. White Dental 
Manufacturing Co. of New York, wrote: "I am 
happy to state that I met you some four or five 
years ago, after having heard some most excel- 
lent reports of your previous career, and that dur- 
ing my intercourse, which has been somewhat 
frequent since that time, I have had no occasion 
to doubt your ability and integrity, and especially 
your acquaintance with Central American coun- 
tries and affairs." 

March 17, i8q6, the then Minister of War of 
Nicaragua, wrote at the request of President 
Zelaya: "SenorDon Eduardo W. Perry, bearer 
of this, has rendered important services to the 
cause of the government, as Military Engineer. 
He goes to Cabo Gracias a Dios on particular 
business. As evidence of our appreciation of the 
sympathy and good deportment of Sefior Perry, 
in the name of the government, it gives ma 



45 



pleasure to recommend him to all the authorities 
ir this voyage, that they may give him the atten- 
tion to which he is entitled." 

Judge Thos. O'Hara, then U. S. Consul at 
Graytown, wrote, in April, 1S97, to a Cincinnati 
firm: "As I wrote you at the outset, I have much 
faith in Mr. Perry's ability to handle a matter of 
this kind. He is cool headed, cautious, courteous, 
of pleasing address, knows these people well, and 
is full of tact and resources; do not think you 
could have found a better man." 

RoLARDO KuEHN, M. D., Bluefields, Nicaragua, 
wrote, Nov. 7, 1S97: "I heard of your contract 
and the success you are having; also I saw the 
Wanks river and its lands. It is a bonanza. It 
is one of the greatest mining and agricultural 
regions on earth. I want to buy an interest ; am 
still trying to buy an interest, even if small. 
* * * * I understand you have been honored 
by the post of president of the Citizens' Com- 
mittee, the only representative body in the 
Comarca. No better man, no man more able, 
could have received the honor, as you are best 
posted and able to give accurate information 
about the industries of this region. * * * * 
I know the Wanks has a great future. It wants 



only the right man to lead— so lead on to vie 
tory." 

Mr. Geo. B. Pense, mining engineer and expert, 
recently wrote: "Is it likely that, cripple for 
life as I am, I would invest my last dollar in j^our 
enterprises if I did not know that you ai-e honest 
and thoroughly know this country and its re- 
sources?" 

Don Diego Meany of Salvador, wrote, years 
ago: "I am so thankful to you that I am unable 
to find words to express my deep gratitude. My 
heart is full. I beg God to pour blessings on you 
and your family. Let these blessings be ever so 
many, they shall always be short of what you 
deserve." 

Gen. J. Fred Pierson wrote, July i, 1898: "I 
have yours of the 29th ulto. I will do as you 
wish me to do in the matter, leaving my interests 
in your hands." General Pierson takes six lots 
of 10 hectares each. 

Such expressions as are contained in the letters 
quoted are stronger endorsements than any num- 
ber of ordinary letters of introduction. Stronger 
than any of them was that given when Gen. Luis 
Bogran tendered his resignation of the presidency 
of the Republic of Honduras in support of Mr. 
Perry's interests and undertakings. If such 



46 



thing has been done for any other man by the 
president of a republic, it has not become known. 

Palmer & Co., Mar. 25, 1898. — "The parties 
to whom we went at your solicitation spoke very 
highly as to your honesty, and also of your being 
straightforward in all your dealings with him." 

J. A. Owens, Jan. 17, 1898.— "Mr. E. W. Perry 
is a man of large affairs, who is in a good thing 
with a few of us. I hope you will give him half 
an hour. It may do some of your friends great 
good. You may depend on whatever he will say." 

J. J. Norton, Feb'y 21, 1898. — "Mr. Perry is a 
gentleman well qualified to interest investors, as 
having been for years in Nicaragua; and being 
now largely interested there he speaks with 
authority, and has the strongest kind of docu- 
ments back of all his statements. I fully endorse 
Mr. Perry as being, to the best of my belief, a 
thoroughly honest, reliable gentleman, and hav- 
ing, it seems to me, interests that one can hardly 
afford to not investigate." 

Senor Don N. Bolet Peraza, Consul-General of 
the Greater Republic of Central America, under 
date of October 17, 1898, wrote: 
"Mr. Edward W. Perry, 

"Dear Sir: — I have carefully examined 
the statements made in the pamphlet, entitled 



' Nicaragua, a Rich New Field,' written by you. 
I am pleased to say that I have official notice of 
the concession made to you by the Government 
of Nicaragua, and to which you refer in the said 
pamphlet. 

" I am happy to add that from the official docu- 
ments you have shown me, I know that you have 
enjoyed the confidence of the government of 
Nicaragua, rendering important services in which 
you have proved your integrity and ability." 



El Diario Nicaraguense published in Granada, 
Feb. 29, i8g6, the following: "Last night the 
steamer 'Managua' bombarded the port of Mono- 
tombo, with very good result. It is known posi- 
tively, by reports from Nagarote, that serious 
injury was inflicted, preventing the launching of 
the steamer 'Eleventh of July.' She was de- 
stroyed. The enemy replied with three pieces of 
artillery." Another account published the same 
day says: "The naval gunner, Seiior Perry, 
gave proof of his skill by extinguishing, one by 
one, with the guns the lights of the port, and de- 
stroying the little steamer 'Eleventh of July' 
that had been brought from Paso Caballo to Lake 
Managua, at the moment when they were about 



47 



to put it afloat, and causing the enemy great loss. 
The soldiers of the enemy were seen, by the light 
of the moon, fleeing in great panic from certain 
death." 



The Gaceta Official of Managua, on March 19, 
1896, published over the signature of the Presi- 
dent and the Minister of War, thanks for services 
rendered bj^ Mr. Perry to the government. 



INDEX TO ENDORSEflENTS, 



Carlos, C, merchant 41 

Consul General of the Republica Mayor 47 

Diario Xicaragruense, El 47 

Frank, Joseph, financier 44 

Herrings, Hon. D. W., former U. S. consul 43 

Honduras Government 44 

Johnson & Co., O. R 43 

Johnston, A. K., capitalist 45 

Keuhn, Rolando, M. D 46 

Meany, Diego 46 

Minister of War of Nicarag'ua 45 

Norton, J. J 47 



O'Hara, Thos., former U. S. consul 46 

Owens, J. A., manufacturer 47 

Palmer & Co., merchant tailors 47 

Pense, Geo., mining eng'ineer 46 

Pierson, Gen., J. F., manufacturer 46 

Potter, I. E., Pres't L. A. W 45 

Stearns, Geo. M., Trust Company of America 45 

Vig-g-e, Pedro E., merchant 41 

Wanner, A. P., President U. Type Foundry Co 44 

Wright, Chas. A., Lieut, Commanding, U. S. N 43 

Zelaya, General Don Jose Santos, Pres't Nicaragua 44 



48 



INDEX. 



AUTHORITIES: QUOTED. page. 

Bureau American Republics 12 

Central America, Notes on 40 

Consular Reports, U. S 23 

Encyclopedia of Tropical Agriculture 40 

O'Hara, Judge Thos 13 

Honduras 40 

Jamaica, Ag-ricultural Reports 12 

Tropical Fruits, U. S. Dept. of Ag-riculture 40 

Villafranca, Consul of Costa Rica 13 

CABO QRACIAS A DIOS: 

Climate 9 

Comarca 5 

Healthfulness 11 

Location 5 

Rai nf all 10 

Rivers 6 

Roads 34 

Topography 5 

DISAGREEABLES: 

Fleas 32 

Mosquitoes 32 

Scorpions 34 

Snakes 34 



Tarantulas. 



32 



FARES: 

New York to Cabo Gracias a Dios 30 

New Orleans to Cabo Gracias a Dios 32 

Mobile to Cabo Gracias a Dios 32 

GOVERNMENT: 

Attitude 36 

Friendly to foreigners 36 

Rebellions advantageous 36 

INVESTIGATE: 

Investigation desired 40 

Publications giving information 40 

Sources of information 40 

INVESTHENTS: 

Agriculture safest 36 

Land better than manufactures or trade 38 

LABOR: 

Supply of laborers 12 

Wages and rations 12 

Quality of labor 13 



LAND: 

Character and value of 36 

Payments for 18 

. Selection of lots sold 36 

Planting- IS 

Cultivating IS 

LIVING: 

Cost of living in the Comarca of Gracias 33 

PERRY LAND GRANT: 

Contract with g-overn ment 5 

Character of 5 

Location of 5 

PRODUCTIONS: 

Bananas 13 

Beans 34 

Cacao 33 

Cassava 24 

Cocoanuts 18 

Coffee 30 

Game 30 

Grain 34 

Kola 34 

Live stock 30 

Orang-es 20 

Pineapples 18 

Rubber 38 

Sugarcane 38 

Tobacco 38 

Vanilla 28 

Woods 38 



1RIVER5: 

Bocai 8 

Coco 6 

Locca 8 

Uaspuc 9 

Umra 8 

Uang 6 

ROADS: 

Condition of the 34 

Right to make and use 34 

TIHBER: 

Cedar, dus pouni, cocobolo 38 

Mahogany, mangrove, oak 28 

Pine .38 

TOPOGRAPHY: 

Hills of the Uaspuc, gold bearing 5 

Lakes or sounds 5 

Prairies, soil, timber, etc 5 

TOWNS: 

Boom 11 

Clutca, Elaya 11 

Gracias 11 

Labring Creek 11 

Other towns on the Uang 12 

TRANSPORTATION: 

Canoes and rafts 34 

Cost of carriage by present means 34 



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